June 16, 2007 MedHead Cruisers

[pillow]

I am honored to have my name associated with nose spoon hanging! Hey, I was only doing it in Parrot Cay, that doesn't qualify as a fine dining establishment, does it? I should have done it in Palo!

Trust me, nose spoon hanging is nothing! Mike (DH) used to make hats out of the cloth napkins and put them on his head . . . in much nicer places than Parrot Cay . . . and I seem to remember crab legs coming out his ears (or some other orifice - can't really remember) at a BUSINESS dinner (we met at work). Then there was the time our office went out to lunch, and he had to be the one to suck all the air out of a helium tank (have no idea why there was a helium tank at our restaurant?). So, I'm used to antics!!

Jodie

 

[Skallywag]

Well at long last we have lost the gale force winds and had a bit of sunshine here this afternoon and they say it is going to be a good weekend. Dreadful summer we have had in England so sad as really love the long summer evenings. Starting to plan towards the Eastbound Panama trip thinking of flying into vegas and that is as far as my planning takes me at present.

Where is everyone these days - please tell me they are not all on the Magic at the moment I will be so very envious.
Have a good weekend everyone.
Bren

 

[auntsue1]

No, we're not on the Magic. I wish I was though. How's Silver doing?

I just got back from a quick trip to Greenville, NC & Atlantic Beach, NC to watch my niece. My other brother just moved there & they needed a baby sitter. So, I played hookey from work for one day & Chris (my 7 yo niece) & I drove down to watch my 3 1/2 yo niece Arielle.

By the way Lauren, my brother & his wife are putting Arielle in a Montessori School this fall. Her vocabulary is amazing for a 3 1/2 yo.

Today we're all going to Erie to take my nephew to college. He is going to rent a house with 2 other people. I hope it works out. One of the boys is a Steeler Fan but never has been to a Steeler game. His father died last year of Diabetes complications so his mother told me this year watching the Steelers was going to be bittersweet. My DB was able to arrange 2 tickets for Mark & this boy (a Freshman in college) to go to the Steeler Game this Sunday. When I called his mother to tell him about the tickets I think I made her cry! The other roomate is a girl & isn't interested in the Steelers.

Have a nice Weekend everyone!
Sue

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Hi Everyone,

Lauren have been thinking of you. Wishing you all the best teaching.

Pillow, My DH Jenna & I will be in Disney World March 24th to the 30th you should look into the Cypress Point. It's really nice & very afforable.

Brenda, glad you have sun

Tomorrow, my family is leaving for the Jersey Shore. We are renting a beach house for the week. It's suppose to be hot & sunny.

Sue, I always wanted to go to NC. Is it as nice as I hear it is?


Talk to you all in September.

 

[pillow]

Hi Everyone,

Lauren have been thinking of you. Wishing you all the best teaching.

Pillow, My DH Jenna & I will be in Disney World March 24th to the 30th you should look into the Cypress Point. It's really nice & very afforable.

Brenda, glad you have sun

Tomorrow, my family is leaving for the Jersey Shore. We are renting a beach house for the week. It's suppose to be hot & sunny.

Sue, I always wanted to go to NC. Is it as nice as I hear it is?


Talk to you all in September.

Patricia,

We have DVC, so we are using points to stay 2 nights at the Animal Kingdom lodge and 3 nights at Beach Club (that Beach Club pool is to die for). We're also thinking about splurging and spending 2 nights at one of the Universal hotels. I would love to stay at the Portofino Bay hotel, especially since I've seen the REAL Portofino Bay. If you stay at one of their hotels, you get a front of the line pass, which in my opinion is invaluable over Spring Break.

Jodie

Jodie

 

[auntsue1]

Hi Everyone,

Lauren have been thinking of you. Wishing you all the best teaching.

Pillow, My DH Jenna & I will be in Disney World March 24th to the 30th you should look into the Cypress Point. It's really nice & very afforable.

Brenda, glad you have sun

Tomorrow, my family is leaving for the Jersey Shore. We are renting a beach house for the week. It's suppose to be hot & sunny.

Sue, I always wanted to go to NC. Is it as nice as I hear it is?


Talk to you all in September.

Patricia,

Yes it is. It's a wonderful mix of the beach area with, of course, The Outer Banks to the rolling Piedmont area of Raleigh & Durham to the Smoky Mountains with Ashville. The climate also is on the milder side. You can still appreciate the changing seasons, but for the most part the winter is milder.

We lived in Raleigh, NC for 3 years when I was in College. It's truly a great state & has a lot to offer. On a side note, if my history is right, Blackbeard was hung I believe in Beaufort, NC.

Sue

 

[auntsue1]

I was all alone last night in our big old house. I awakened about 1:30am to a noise I've never heard in this house, & I lived in it for about 15 years. It sounded like something chirping then a running noise. I thought@ first it was outside & tried to go back asleep. But no, the noise kept returning. Was it a raccoon? We've had raccoons in the house in years past, but none for a long time since we had all the lattice work under the porch fixed & reinforced. With the raccoons opposing thumbs they are very adept @ getting through the smallest of holes. I thought either way I didn't want to put my feet on the floor.

The noises continued & it's now going on 2:00am & I had to get up @ 05:00 for work. I then saw something flying around the room! I ran out of bed & turned the light on --- IT WAS A BAT FLYING AROUND THE ROOM! My cat was trying to watch it fly & get it. To my cat it was a mouse with wings! Who knows how long it was flying around my room before I woke up. I ran out of the room & closed the door. I later went back in to get the cat & some clothes for work. I tried to sleep in another room, but I didn't sleep well I was so scared by the bat.

Tonight, after it slept all day in my room we are trying to let it fly out the window. I know the bat probably relieved itself all day in my room. EW!!! I also know that when there is one bat, there are probably more bats. We live in an old house as long as they are in the attic, I'm okay with that. I don't like them in the main part of the house. It could have come down from the attic when my nephew went to the attic Friday, to get his things to return to college. The bat could have come down when the attic door was open, or it was in one of the boxes that came down.

My partner @ work kept callling me Batgirl @ work today. Hilarious!

Well, Hopefully I can get more sleep tonight in another bedroom. My family is @ least back with me tonight.

Sue

 

[carolmb]

Hi all,
I hope that everyone has had good summer. The kids started school today. The house is quiet. My DD started 1st grade at the big school and she was very excited. She went to Montessori kindergarten last year. My DS is starting 4th grade.

We are planning a trip to WDW July 2008. I just called DVC and booked a grand villa at SSR. I am very excited. Then we are going a 4 night Wonder cruise. DH was able to book a Cat 3 while we were on the Med crusie. I wonder if I will be spoiled for life. This will be our 1st trip to WDW so if anyone has any suggestions.... I am all ears!

 

[taysmom]

I'm all ears on the suggestions too for WDW. Taylor and I are going for the first time in may.
In fact, does anyone know how much $$ to take a cab from wdw to the ship? We don't want to take the shuttle as it leaves in the morning and we want to spend the day at wdw. ANY suggestions?

Sue..bats...gross! I'll take earthquakes anyday over bats and tornadoes!

Hope you all had a great summer. My dd doesn't start 4th grade until next tuesday...they're getting soooo big!

 

[JsMom2]

We don't want to take the shuttle as it leaves in the morning and we want to spend the day at wdw. ANY suggestions?
QUOTE]

Hey Steph,
Yes, this one is easy. You can pickup a car at one of the Downtown Disney hotels and drive to the port. It's about an hour and a half drive. There are 3 car companies that have free shuttles to the ship. Avis and Budget are 2, but I forgot the 3rd. We're using Avis in December.

This also gives you a chance to pickup water, snacks, and any other last minute items before you board. Look on Shirley's Info thread, she even has directions to the closest Wal-Mart on there!

If you don't have a discount code for the car rental companies look on mousesavers.com.

As far as suggestions for WDW, I think you said you can only stay a few days since it's during the school year? Since you live in CA, and can do DL another time, I'd suggest skipping Magic Kingdom and Downtown Disney. EPCOT takes a good day and a half to 2 days to do right. If you have two full days I'd do Animal Kingdom and MGM studios, then the day you board the ship you could do Future World at EPCOT and save World Showcase for another time.

There is WAY too much to see and do there!

Oh, keep an eye on the shuttle launch schedule. If there's a launch on your sailing date, the traffic to the port will be all backed up. And you'd be better off leaving early that morning.

HTH!

 

[pillow]

Hi all,
This will be our 1st trip to WDW so if anyone has any suggestions.... I am all ears!

Carol and Steph,

I would suggest buying the Birbaum book - The Unofficial Guide to WDW. I think the 2008 edition comes out this month. This book is INVALUABLE!! They lay out "touring plans" on what rides to ride first and in what order so that you spend as little time in line as possible. During a busy time, it can save you HOURS of waiting time (we tested it over Spring Break and it worked great - we spent very little time in line).

I would suggest for Steph (since you only have a couple days), to do half a day at MGM and half a day at Animal Kingdom (I think there is a touring plan for this in the book). Then spend an entire day at Epcot. The Birnbaum book rates the rides so you'll know which ones to skip. I think you can do Epcot in a day if you don't go to all the shows in each country. The restaurants at Epcot are wonderful!! We like the Italian one - Alfredos I think its called.

If possible, on your MGM/AK day, do AK in the morning - that way you can ride Everst first and then see the animals (they tend to be out more in the morning). When you get to MGM, get a fast pass for either Rock N Roller Coaster or Tower of Terror FIRST THING. One other thing - at MGM, Disney offers a "dinner and show" deal where you pay a fixed price for dinner at one of three restaurants (Brown Derby is the best). Then, you can get into Fantasmic without waiting in line. I've known people to wait in line for 2 hours for this show in busy season and still not get in. You can book dinner reservations 6 months out which is what I'd do.

Steph, were you able to get on the Panama Canal cruise? Every time I've checked, its been booked solid.

Jodie

 

[carolmb]

Wendy and Jodie,
Thanks for the info. Keep the suggestions coming.

 

[taysmom]

wendy and jodie...
thanks from me too...great info! We were already booked on the PC when we did the med so no problems there. WDW is our precruise plan. We are arriving Thursday @ 6am at orlando (doing the redeye...who needs sleep!) So we have all day thursday and friday and then I'll look into the rental car, that sounds like a good deal. We don't have to be on the ship until 4pm I think and my sister and brother and families are coming to WDW only with us. (Their staying until sunday) So I'd like to spend the most time with them. I mean tay and I will be on the disney ship for 15 days, so I don't need to be their too early on sail date. This cruise has 9 sea days, I think. Good to know..now I can start thinking about WDW. I'm thinking Epcot thursday and then AK friday morning..mgm friday night. We've done tower of terror a million times at california adventure so it's ok to skip that..plus my sisters baby will be with us (he'll be 1 1/2 at the time) so no long lines.
Again, thanks for the info...
Steph

 

[Skallywag]

Hi Everyone,

Sue I did smile about your bat episode glad I am not the only one with bats in the belfry so I tell people.

North Carolina we found beautiful. We stayed at the Fairfield resort on Lake Lure and met some great people who had moved there from Michigan and build the most wonderful homes. One was on the golf course and he could drive his buggy directly from the course into his basement which we found amusing. We met them at church the first morning we arrived (little church on site) and they invited us out on their boat on the lake in the afternoon.
That was after we had been back home to put on some pants they told us. This always amuses us as pants to us over here are underwear and makes us smile.

We of course did the trip to Biltmore but found it so gloomy very much like our Knowle Park here in England but great to visit. Believe we also visited a very strange river known as sliding rock where if you are brave enough you can slide down into the water. Needless to say I was not brave enough but Francis was and then moaned about his back for the next few days.

Got to start planning our next cruise through the Panama 12 months to go.
We are also booked on the 13th December 2008 western and our daughters are joining us. We own at Westgate Vacation Villas and our two weeks there start on the 20th December so it will work out great.

Bren

 

[JsMom2]

We've done tower of terror a million times at california adventure so it's ok to skip that..plus my sisters baby will be with us (he'll be 1 1/2 at the time) so no long lines.
Again, thanks for the info...
Steph

Be sure to get a Fast Pass for RockN' Roller coaster as soon as you get to MGM. We love it! Your sister can take your nephew to see Play House Disney while you're doing that.

 

[JsMom2]

Hi all,
I hope that everyone has had good summer. The kids started school today. The house is quiet. My DD started 1st grade at the big school and she was very excited. She went to Montessori kindergarten last year. My DS is starting 4th grade.

We are planning a trip to WDW July 2008. I just called DVC and booked a grand villa at SSR. I am very excited. Then we are going a 4 night Wonder cruise. DH was able to book a Cat 3 while we were on the Med crusie. I wonder if I will be spoiled for life. This will be our 1st trip to WDW so if anyone has any suggestions.... I am all ears!

Carol I wonder if your DD might like to go to the Bibbidibobbidi Boutique? There's one in DTD and I heard they are opening another in MK.

 

[pillow]

Be sure to get a Fast Pass for RockN' Roller coaster as soon as you get to MGM. We love it! Your sister can take your nephew to see Play House Disney while you're doing that.

Yes, Steph, definitely get the fastpass for Rock N Roller coaster. You can do a "kid swap" on that ride. Your sister and nephew can wait in line with you and then you can trade the kid off so your sister can go immediately after you're done (and Tay can ride again if she wants). Do they have kid swap at Disneyland?

I think your plan is good. Whatever you do, don't miss Fantasmic at MGM (try doing that "dinner and a show" thing I mentioned) or the fireworks at Epcot. They're both fabulous! Get the Birnbaum book. Its fun to read.

What will you do Saturday?

I'm dying to do that Panama Canal trip. It just doesn't fit with our school year - the kids would have to miss too much school.

Don't know why I was thinking the PC trip was booked and you were waiting for a cancellation??????????

Still thinking we'll do California next summer. We're trying to get a reservation at the Highland Inn in Carmel using our points, but its booked and looks GORGEOUS - doubt we'll get it.

Jodie

 

[taysmom]

I LOVE carmel. So cute and mellow! You can walk on the beach in front of Clint Eastwoods house. I got some Great shoes there! You know it's all about the shoes! I've made a note to fast pass the roller coaster and check out the dinner. Saturday we were thinking magic kingdom. Just so we can say we were there.
I cleared the cruise with my work (which happens to also be tays school) before I booked. I just confirmed with her teacher that we'll be gone and what we should expect homework wise for the trip. Good thing we have all those sea days. It looks like she'll have to turn in a report on the canal. On our canal thread, they've recommended several books to read, including some for kids.
Please let us know if you end up on the west coast. We'd be happy to be tourist guides for a day.
Steph

 

[pillow]

I LOVE carmel. So cute and mellow! You can walk on the beach in front of Clint Eastwoods house. I got some Great shoes there! You know it's all about the shoes! I've made a note to fast pass the roller coaster and check out the dinner. Saturday we were thinking magic kingdom. Just so we can say we were there.
I cleared the cruise with my work (which happens to also be tays school) before I booked. I just confirmed with her teacher that we'll be gone and what we should expect homework wise for the trip. Good thing we have all those sea days. It looks like she'll have to turn in a report on the canal. On our canal thread, they've recommended several books to read, including some for kids.
Please let us know if you end up on the west coast. We'd be happy to be tourist guides for a day.
Steph

I'll let you know. TRYING to make it a cheap one so that I can save for Alaska, but you know how it goes. Things tend to get out of control - tickets for Disneyland, Universal, the nice hotel where I want to stay in Santa Barbara, etc, etc, etc . . .

Jodie

 

[taysmom]

No way to make it cheap in Carmel...too much good shopping